My Dad’s JB retirement life
My parents bought a place in JB (Danga Bay Area) and it’s feeding my Dads inner child soul so much.
He went solo hiking one day and a group of Malaysians adopted him. Since then, he’s been hiking with them weekly, and they bring him to all their fruit farms, favourite breakfast spots and even invite him into their homes for meals and birthdays.
I’m so glad my Dad chose to retire earlier than he expected to( 61)
He initially took a Grab license and was going to drive Grab but since he has a house in JB and spends much of his time there, he’d rather just limit his spending and enjoy life more fully without worrying about income.
For those who are asking about money, about 10/15 years ago, my mum (his financial planner) made him put aside a certain sum into a retirement plan that gives him monthly income after a certain age. He doesn’t have CPF so he just relies on this + some rental income by renting out 2/3 of his HDB flat.
My mum still enjoys working so she’s still earning an income but soon she also wants to find a retirement career!
Just sharing here cos I realize my friends all feel it’s a good idea for our parents to consider retiring earlier. Many can’t because they still need income but many CAN and don’t because they’re afraid they won’t have value or don’t know what to do.
When my Dad was first retired I brought him to Bali for a whole month and he was afraid he’d get bored but he ended up getting adopted by a Balinese family also lmao. Since then he has learned the art of following your inner child urges and just doing whatever he feels like doing. He also makes a lot of retiree friends so they just all hang out and do retiree things VELLI CUTE ONE
One of the most inspiring parts of my Dad's retirement life is how he reconnects with his childhood passions. Growing up helping his father in the durian business, it’s heartwarming to see him picking durians again in JB with his new Malaysian friends who have embraced him like family. It’s a beautiful reminder that retirement can be a time to rediscover joy and meaningful activities rather than slowing down. My Dad’s story also highlights the importance of community in retirement. Being adopted by local hikers and making friends who invite him to their homes and celebrations has enriched his daily life, proving how social connections are vital for happiness and health. His experience shows that retirement doesn’t have to mean isolation or boredom; instead, it can open doors to new friendships and adventures. Financial planning played a key role in enabling my Dad to retire early and stress-free. Thanks to my mum’s foresight in investing in a retirement plan and renting out parts of our flat, my Dad enjoys a steady income source without pressure to work. For others considering early retirement, thoughtful financial arrangements like these can provide peace of mind. Finally, it’s so heartwarming how my Dad embraces the philosophy of following his inner child — whether it’s hiking weekly, trying new foods, or making retiree friends. His vibrant, joyful approach to retirement encourages us all to see this life stage as a fresh opportunity rather than an end. I hope more retirees can find similar joy and purpose by pursuing what truly makes them happy.
Good to hear this kind of retirement. ❤️